Majority of young users suffers from harassment and hate crime on Metaverse - research

Study into the dangers facing children in the virtual worlds found most had been asked to send an image

The latest research into the threats and benefits of the Metaverse for children shows that the majority of young users have experienced harassment, hate speech or exposure to harmful adult content.

The Virtual Reality Risks Against Children (VIRRAC) research project is led by criminology and psychology researchers from Middlesex University’s Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies (CATS) and from the Institute of Connected Communities at the University of East London.

Academics, working with the charity Childnet, spoke with young people aged 13-18 about their experiences in the Metaverse and found that they believed the greatest risks they could face were ‘grooming’ and ‘doxing’, which involves the malicious act of revealing someone’s identity online.

Most of the young people revealed they had been asked to send an image and reported another user.

Key findings include:

• The study raised issues about virtual assault incidents and the possible impact on childhood development in relation to cognitive effects of VR use, neuroplasticity, and even potential physical harm from prolonged VR headset use. Experts voiced concern about specific vulnerabilities among children with special needs and those on the neurodiverse spectrum, which includes autism, and requirements for closer caregiver attention.
• Addressing age verification, parental involvement and understanding and safety protocols is crucial to safeguarding children in the Metaverse, with young people calling for safety tech improvements. There was frustration at the lack of avenues for reporting indecent behaviours across Metaverse platforms.

Co-leads, Professor of Criminology at the University of East London, Julia Davidson, OBE, and Dr Elena Martellozzo, Professor in Criminology at Middlesex University, have presented the findings to industry, including representatives from Ofcom, Meta, the Metropolitan Police and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport recently.

Researchers are working alongside tech company Kabuni whose Co-Founder Nina Jane Patel made headlines last year when she said she had been sexually harassed and assaulted by three male avatars in the Metaverse.

Speaking at the industry event, Nina Patel, a psychotherapist and Head of Metaverse Research at Kabuni, said: “The abuse and harassment was very shocking in this new very social, virtual and fun environment that is being advertised as a place to spend time with your friends and family. I’m a parent and what if it had been one of my children who experienced that abuse? Is this the type of behaviour that we want as the first experience that a child has in a 3D virtual space? We’re getting this very wrong.

“Let’s be very clear about the metaverse, the amount of money being invested in these technologies is significant – in one year alone it has exceeded trillions of dollars, this is the new frontier for technology companies. We cannot look the other way as this technology is being developed and put into the hands of children on a daily basis with no recognition of the potential harms that it is unlocking for them.”

Prof Martellozzo said: “In our research, we have identified that online harms in immersive environments can impact victims greatly. Besides emphasising the positive aspects, our young participants described concerns such as gender-based violence and increased physical vulnerability. As technology develops, the immersive experience in VR can make virtual assaults feel real.”

Professor Davidson commented: “The studies unanimously recognised the need for more guidance, awareness, support and platform online safety features to keep young users safe from harm in the Metaverse.”

Experienced researchers from criminology and psychology, Dr Ruby Farr, Paula Bradbury and Boglarka Meggyesfalvi are working on the pilot study and consulting with tech-industry and practice-policy panels.

Young people also reported enjoying various activities in the Metaverse such as building new cities, exposure to entrepreneurialism, exploring new worlds, dressing up in VR​ avatars, along with the opportunity to become someone new.

The project has been funded by the UK Research and Innovation REPHRAIN Fund.

A series of educational videos for young people have been produced and are available to view.

The academics have also produced safety tool kits for tech providers, practitioners and young people and their final report is due to be made public in the coming months.

Find out more about the Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies.